Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 4:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 4:56 p.m.

SARASOTA - Floridians, more accustomed to receiving aid than giving it during hurricanes, are ready to return the favor.

Facts

WANT TO HELP?

Some established agencies seeking cash donations to help with the Hurricane Sandy recovery:

• Red Cross, Sarasota chapter, call (941)379-9300 for information on training and cash donations, which also can be made online at www.redcross.org. Checks can be delivered to the office at 2001 Cantu Court in Sarasota.

• Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.orgSamaritan's Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org.AmeriCares distributes medical supplies such as insulin, as well as cleaning supplies. Go to www.americares.org.

• Feeding America provides food, at www.feedingamerica.org.Save the Children provides relief to families and their children, at www.savethechildren.org.

• The Humane Society of the United States is sending animal rescue teams into the Sandy disaster areas, www.humanesociety.org.

Hurricane Sandy's nasty punch to the Northeast has local charity offices fielding calls from people here who want to help. The top piece of advice offered: Send money to recognized charities, not bags of clothing or 12-packs of water.

"Our phones are ringing off the hook," said Chris Purnell, director of volunteer services for the Sarasota chapter of the Red Cross. "We're telling people we need cash donations. Sending a donation of used clothing is not helpful because it takes volunteer time to sort it.

"The worst thing you can do is create another another disaster within a disaster."

She also said that some of the clothing donated in past for hurricanes has been infested with "critters," which is worse than doing nothing at all.

The local chapter of the Salvation Army also is receiving calls with offers of help for Sandy victims. So far, officials are awaiting information on specific needs, but cash contributions are being accepted.

People who want to do more than write a check can donate blood, said Jayne Giroux, spokeswoman for the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank. She said the agency is part of a national disaster assistance plan that rushes supplies to areas that need it.

More than 100 American Red Cross blood drives were cancelled on the East Coast before Sandy's landfall, meaning the affected area already has a shortfall. Blood banks are reporting a need for 3,200 blood and platelet donations and that need is expected to grow.

"We're already experiencing a shortfall here because one of our vehicles was out of service for one day," Giroux said. "If we are called to lend assistance we will help but only if we have a surplus. We want to build up our supplies now so we're ready."

Negative blood types remain in demand, she said.

Local volunteers who have completed disaster training with the Red Cross are on their way to New Brunswick, N.J., said Purnell. They will buy water, food and other supplies in the affected areas to boost the local economy, then distribute it to neighborhoods in need.

She encouraged people who want to be a part of the relief efforts to sign up for Red Cross training. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, more volunteers could be required later to help with Sandy relief, she said.

North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse has called for volunteers willing to help with cleanup, putting tarps on roofs and clearing debris and muck. Volunteers will be provided a place to sleep, but need to bring their own mattresses, sleeping bags, towels and other personal items.

Unsuspecting donors sometimes get taken by unscrupulous people hoping to cash in on a disaster, according to the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that keeps tabs on businesses.

It advises givers to be cautious when relying on bloggers, email or unknown websites asking for money. Some bogus websites might pop up trying to mimic a legitimate charity.

Donors also should find out if the organization has an on-the-ground presence in the affected areas. Groups just mobilizing without experience, even well-intentioned ones, will have a difficult time getting to where the help is needed, the BBB says.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - Floridians, more accustomed to receiving aid than giving it during hurricanes, are ready to return the favor.</p><p>Hurricane Sandy's nasty punch to the Northeast has local charity offices fielding calls from people here who want to help. The top piece of advice offered: Send money to recognized charities, not bags of clothing or 12-packs of water.</p><p>"Our phones are ringing off the hook," said Chris Purnell, director of volunteer services for the Sarasota chapter of the Red Cross. "We're telling people we need cash donations. Sending a donation of used clothing is not helpful because it takes volunteer time to sort it.</p><p>"The worst thing you can do is create another another disaster within a disaster." </p><p>She also said that some of the clothing donated in past for hurricanes has been infested with "critters," which is worse than doing nothing at all.</p><p>The local chapter of the Salvation Army also is receiving calls with offers of help for Sandy victims. So far, officials are awaiting information on specific needs, but cash contributions are being accepted.</p><p>People who want to do more than write a check can donate blood, said Jayne Giroux, spokeswoman for the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank. She said the agency is part of a national disaster assistance plan that rushes supplies to areas that need it.</p><p>More than 100 American Red Cross blood drives were cancelled on the East Coast before Sandy's landfall, meaning the affected area already has a shortfall. Blood banks are reporting a need for 3,200 blood and platelet donations and that need is expected to grow.</p><p>"We're already experiencing a shortfall here because one of our vehicles was out of service for one day," Giroux said. "If we are called to lend assistance we will help but only if we have a surplus. We want to build up our supplies now so we're ready."</p><p>Negative blood types remain in demand, she said.</p><p>Local volunteers who have completed disaster training with the Red Cross are on their way to New Brunswick, N.J., said Purnell. They will buy water, food and other supplies in the affected areas to boost the local economy, then distribute it to neighborhoods in need.</p><p>She encouraged people who want to be a part of the relief efforts to sign up for Red Cross training. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, more volunteers could be required later to help with Sandy relief, she said.</p><p>North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse has called for volunteers willing to help with cleanup, putting tarps on roofs and clearing debris and muck. Volunteers will be provided a place to sleep, but need to bring their own mattresses, sleeping bags, towels and other personal items.</p><p>Unsuspecting donors sometimes get taken by unscrupulous people hoping to cash in on a disaster, according to the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that keeps tabs on businesses.</p><p>It advises givers to be cautious when relying on bloggers, email or unknown websites asking for money. Some bogus websites might pop up trying to mimic a legitimate charity.</p><p>Donors also should find out if the organization has an on-the-ground presence in the affected areas. Groups just mobilizing without experience, even well-intentioned ones, will have a difficult time getting to where the help is needed, the BBB says.</p>